To George Washington from Isaac Collett, 22 February 1784
From Isaac Collett
Berkeley County head of Bullskin [Va.]
February the 22nd 1784
Sir,
I make free to trouble your Excellency with a few lines relating to the conveyance or transference of the lease or Tenement of Land Guaranteed to Moses Collett of sd Couty As he has some time been dead, his sons during the war has bee mutch in the Army, since that mutch dispersed into the back Country’s, his only survivor his eldest son who was his chief Executor who held the place having failed been afflicted this long time by a lingering disorder—under these circumstances it being not convenient for us to hold it. The young Gentleman that has purchased congratulates you upon the same, your Excellency not being at home at the time to Obtain consent at the time And opportunity not permitting to send before though it being contrary to your lease to sell without. Yet I hope you will give your Approbation At this time, under the circumstances laid before your Excellency’s consideration.1 In assenting to the same you’ll mutch favour your Excellency’s very humbl. and most obt Servant
Isaac Collett
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See Dolphin Drew to GW, 13 Feb. 1784, and notes. GW responded from Mount Vernon on 25 Feb.: “Mr Collett, It would have been quite as proper to have written about the payment of your Rents, as a transfer of the Lease.
“When the arrearages of the former are discharged, it is very probable I shall have no objection to the latter, provided it is to a purchaser who means to reside on, & will improve the Land. Until these happen I shall consent to no sale at all, and advise you to attend to the first, Your humble servant G:Washington” (LB, DLC:GW).